Daring to Share: 8 Brave Souls Sharing Their Authentic Road Trip

By Diana Reyers

ALONG WITH SEVEN BRAVE STORYTELLERS, DIANA REYERS DARES TO SHARE EMPOWERING STORIES OF FROM THERE TO HERE

This heartfelt collection shares stories of Authentic Road Trips that move the narrators’ past
Initial Personal Torment, through Acute Self-Awareness and on to the
Deserving Destination of Celebrating th

• Language: English
• Publisher: Daringly Mindful
• Release date: Jan 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781999401016

Diana Reyers

Diana Reyers is an Authentic Leadership Global™ Program and Conversation facilitator and the founder of Daring to Share Global.™ As a creative introvert, she learned early in life that the ability to belong without succumbing to external expectations of changing one's inner self was a rare gift only provided to those courageous enough to show up as a reflection of their soul. She had a deep knowing that she did not need to heal but yearned to evolve as her best self, given where she was within her level of personal awareness. She began storytelling as a young child because it provided her with the ability to step into her uniqueness while fighting to fit into a world where extroverts are honoured and introverts are shamed. Through her teen years and well into adulthood, Diana lost herself, and at the age of 49, dug deep to re-introduce herself to her authenticity. Well into her personal work, she discovered the power of conversation and began sharing her story; she found a voice that people listened to while resonating with her stories.Diana used her ability to share her story with her voice and through the written word in order to experience the genuine love that comes from feelings of acceptance and inclusion. By committing to and living in line with her values and beliefs, she felt the inspiring energy of connection and an unconditional sense of belonging. Diana is a Human Advocate passionate about inspiring others to share their truth no matter how uncomfortable it may be. She knows that when we trust our story, we become empowered to share it and a spark of connection is ignited; the magic of storytelling takes us to compassion and empathy, and an amplified feeling of human-kindness is created.

Book preview

DARING TO SHARE

CONNECTNG HUMANITY ONE STORY AT A TIME

DIANA REYERS

AUTHENTICITY COACH

STORYTELLER | CONNECTOR | HUMAN ADVOCATE

Published by Daringly Mindful, October, 2018

ISBN: 9781999401009

ISBN: 9781999401016 (e-book)

Copyright © 2018 by Diana Reyers

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Editor: Diana Reyers

Typeset: Greg Salisbury

Book Cover Design: Judith Mazari

DISCLAIMER: Readers of this publication agree that neither Diana Reyers, nor her publisher will be held responsible or liable for damages that may be alleged as resulting directly or indirectly from the use of this publication. Neither the publisher nor the author can be held accountable for the information provided by, or actions, resulting from, accessing these resources.

By Diana Reyers

My life would be incredibly incomplete without my husband, Hank, by my side.

He will never fully comprehend how impactful his quiet and constant way of encouraging my personal evolution has been.

He is the love of my life and much more than I ever thought I was worthy of.

My children inspire me to show up in the world from a place of truth.

Each of them taught me that being vulnerable and sharing how we truly feel is the most impactful way to connect genuinely with another human being.

Simon, Olivia and Nik, I am grateful for the laughter and meaningful conversations we share while breaking bread around our dinner table. I want you to know that you are my world.

My Family Is My Greatest Blessing And The Reason You Are Holding This Book In Your Hands

"Most of us have secrets, memories, and past actions; feelings and deeds hidden from friends, strangers, and sometimes even from ourselves; that were they exposed we would be mortified!

Especially as an actress, director, and as a fellow author, I have to be willing to stand stripped bare of the safety of a mask - and instead share these same vulnerabilities portrayed within each character for the world to see.

Amazed pleasantly as if I am observing snowflakes fall to the ground and yet defy the expectation of melting, I absorb the phenomenal courage by those who pour open the depths of their souls in these beautiful stories before you which you now have the opportunity to share.

I applaud them."

DIANE LADD

Actress | Director | Writer

International Award Winner, including British Academy Award and 3X Oscar Nominee.

Author — Spiraling Through the School of Life, Hay House Publisher and

A Bad Afternoon for a Piece of Cake

A Collection Ten short stories, Exxcell Publisher

www.dianeladd.com

Inspiring stories shared by these 8 brave men and women reflect an intuitive calling to surrender to the truth within. Truth is a funny little word that has depths so deep we can’t see them at first glance so, we have to walk toward them, into them, to know them. It takes suffering, strength and courage to walk this road with eyes wide open...you will find yourself, here.

Heather Haynes Artist and Philanthropist

Owner of Heather Haynes Gallery

Creator of the Walls of Courage

Founder of Worlds Collide Africa

The stories in this book are vulnerable, real and daring. As a publisher I am always encouraging my authors to have the courage to really dig deep and be authentic in their journey, but rarely this happens because judgement gets in the way. Diana has a unique gift to encourage these authors to tell their stories from this place, and the results are sometimes shockingly dareful! Congratulations Diana, you have inspired a group of storytellers to share their journeys to encourage others to learn from their experiences.

Julie Salisbury, Founder Influence Publishing Inc.

By Diana Reyers

Tana Heminsley is my beacon of hope.

Through all the chaos in this world, she continuously shares and shows me there is a better way; a way that empowers me and others to choose to lead an authentic life with conscious intention.

I am honoured to call Tana my mentor and friend and her ALG tribe, my community of support.

Jane Tohill is my soul mate and life-long bestie.

Through laughter, tears, outrageous adventures, and complete acceptance of one another, we achieved the honour to celebrate

infinite and deep friendship. I feel deep gratitude having received our unique bond.

Scott De Freitas-Graff and John De Freitas

Daring to Share, The Movement would never have evolved had it not been for the unconditional support of my island besties.

Scott is my spirit animal; John is my blessing friend.

I hold a special place in my heart for each of these loving and kind individuals.

Julie Salisbury is a publisher extraordinaire and an author’s dream come true.

She is that beautiful soul everyone wishes to cross paths with.

I thank Julie for respecting my creative mind and individuality while having faith in the intention of this project.

The Universe is my greatest inspiration.

The forest is my sanctuary, the place I take to and find clarity in;

the trees, rocks, roots, moss, wind and the sky that surround me as I move within, around and through every nook and cranny of it.

I will never take for granted its incredible gift of taking me to creative freedom while providing the blessing to thrive from my soul, my truth.

THE DEDICATION

THE PRAISE

THE GRATITUDE

THE FOREWORD BY TANA HEMINSLEY

THE INTRODUCTION BY DIANA REYERS

LOVE ~ JOY KINGSBOROUGH

INTEGRITY ~ SCOTT DE FREITAS – GRAFF

BELONGING ~ JOHN DE FREITAS

FAITH ~ SHAUNNA CHRISTISON

GRACE ~ WENDY MAH

CALM ~ DONNA FITZGERALD

INNER PEACE ~ TANA HEMINSLEY

TRUTH ~ DIANA REYERS

by Tana Heminsley

The Journey from There to Here or becoming your Authentic self, is the pathway to personal freedom. This is your birthright and potential and what may have gotten lost as a result of experiences and the influence of others to this point in your life.

Diana describes how to think of the journey from There to Here as There being a place of unconsciously showing up as one’s inauthentic self, and Here being a place of consciously showing up within one’s authenticity.

When you rediscover who you are as your authentic or best self, connected to universal energy in each moment of presence, life changes. As you remember and cultivate your true self or essence more of the time, you slow down, experience more ease, and become very intentional. Over time you make different choices – self-nurturing and incredible choices that allow who you are and what is important to you, to shine through in more moments of each day.

This personal journey requires years if not decades of awareness, personal growth and development. It is not for the faint of heart. It requires continuous courage to delve deep into the patterns of the personality or ego and to make choices about which to keep and which to let go of along the way. It often requires support from a variety of sources which may show up in the most synchronistic of ways. And it requires empowering conversations with self and others, setting boundaries and living in ways that are congruent with what is deeply important to you.

This is what you will experience as you open the pages to each chapter and each contributor’s story.

When Diana told me several years ago she was going to write a book, it didn’t surprise me.

It didn’t surprise me because over the 7 years we have known each other, each time Diana said she was going to do something, she did it – whether it was planning and carrying out a move across the country with her family, or training to become an Authentic Leadership Conversation™ Facilitator and offering this to her clients in record time, developing her version of the Authentic You™ Personal Planning System which she called the Authentic Road Trip program and supporting many others to discover their authentic selves, or creating the sacred space for storytelling where people can share their journeys with nothing but a stool, a microphone and a glass of water by their side – she says she is going to do something, and then she does it.

Diana is an incredibly inspiring, heart-centred, purpose-focused activator and connector. She gets things done, and she creates community wherever she goes.

What did surprise me though was just how much I would be both moved while at the same time deeply inspired by each contributor when I savoured their stories. Several, I read more than once, and many moved me to tears – both of sadness as I felt their lows, and contentment as I felt their arrival at their final destination – here.

I was honoured when she asked me to write a chapter for her book and to tell my story of From There to Here. And, then she asked me to write the Foreword; I was honoured once again.

Diana’s purpose for this book is to introduce you to 8 people who are committed enough and willing to put themselves out there in spite of the incredible vulnerability of speaking their truth and sharing the story of their journeys with you.

It is also to have you experience what Diana has called the Inner Purpose Feeling – or the one emotion that you feel when you are aware and experiencing your authentic self, and that is aligned with your values and provides guideposts for an authentic approach to living.

So, grab your courage, along with a cup of tea, and be prepared to be moved and to feel like you want to have a deeper conversation with each of the people who have written a chapter of this book.

Diana’s final intention for it is to create a movement for humanity and connection where we join together to support one another through Conversation™ as we share and listen with love and respect, honouring our stories, one by one, Daring to Share.

She has accomplished it in her book and did it with authenticity and ease.

Tana Heminsley

Author "Awaken Your Authentic Leadership –

Lead with Inner Clarity and Purpose"

CEO and Founder, Authentic Leadership Global

Tana Heminsley is a master at the practical application — the how — of emotional intelligence and Authentic Leadership. Both support leaders to heal old wounds and improve their effectiveness while experiencing more ease — in the workplace and at home.

Her career has included roles such as :

• founding Authentic Leadership Global™ – an online-based business supporting organizations to transform their culture through individual and team growth and development.

• facilitating leadership development for 1000’s of leaders through ViRTUS.

• being a member of the Executive team for BC Hydro – one of North America’s leading providers of clean, renewable energy – with 4,500 employees, annual net income of $400 Million (2007) and 1.7 million customers.

• consulting for the founders of the balanced scorecard management system, which originated out of Harvard, and

• starting, owning and selling Tana Lee a retail clothing store.

Tana holds an Executive MBA from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, B.C. Canada, a PCC credential with International Coach Federation, is an Integral Coach trained through New Ventures West, a Certified Professional EQ Analyst, a Certified Authentic Leadership Program Facilitator and has trained on the Enneagram.

by Diana Reyers

I began writing this book more than 20 years ago. I was, initially, writing about me and my life-long journey of seeking the courage to show up in the world as my unique self. So many years ago, I knew my story would be about my road trip of From There to Here but, I didn’t have clarity about what I did within that road trip or how to articulate it. Over the years, I started and stopped writing many times. I was unclear about where the story would take me or how it would end. I focused solely on what happened in my story while neglecting how those chronological events affected me emotionally and spiritually. It took me 2 decades, much reflection and many U-turns to discover that my story is not about what I do within it, but instead, how I feel as I move through it, and then, how I respond to my intuition.

Through my experience as a Certified Authentic Leadership Program Facilitator™ I discovered that people do not find fulfillment or joy within their doing, but rather in how they are feeling. We do not find a true understanding of ourselves based on the list of things we have to accomplish on any given day. Once we reach the point of being able to grab our courage to look beyond the things we have to do, we see ourselves as a physical capsule holding a cornucopia of emotions and beliefs that are uniquely ours and that deserve to be honoured. We begin to choose to connect to our soul, the part of us that is difficult to describe but, that defines us as our most genuine version. We seek the clarity and confidence to show up within an Authentic way of being, one that reflects our personal values and honours the same in others.

Initially, we may not recognize that our emotions mirror our values which simultaneously, create guideposts towards decisiveness about how we want to show up in the world. However, once we achieve that awareness, we find the clarity about who we are and how we feel within our unique evolution. This discovery can change everything about the choices we make as human beings because we are exactly that, beings who are human. We have hearts and souls that carry emotions, passions, needs and wants with a deep knowing about how we want to feel and be as an individual amongst many. I call this being aware of our Inner Purpose Feeling. It is the unique feeling each of us yearns to experience most of the time. If there is a Fairy God Mother, and she was able to tap you on the head with her wand and bestow one emotion upon you to experience for the rest of your life, what feeling would you choose? This is your Inner Purpose Feeling, and it takes time, acute awareness and complete vulnerability to discover what it is for you and what transpires from committing to its truth.

Relying on a feeling may seem unreliable in a world that often depends on the validity of science alone. However, paying attention to how we feel, physically and emotionally, provides us with the ability to slow down and reflect on the why of what we are experiencing, good or bad. Our bodies and our emotions are the first and second receivers of any indication that we are being or not being true to ourselves; this is the time to pay attention as we either receive messages of confident decisiveness and contentment or the chatter of anxious indecisiveness and chaos. Slowing down to listen provides the space of time and energy to recalibrate and shift to how we really want to show up. However, ignoring our feelings can move us to self-deception and to a way of showing up that creates possible trade-offs of mental and physical ill-health and disease as our discomfort manifests within us. At some point, we reach our capacity and we can